2021
The Historic Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis Transmission in Puerto Rico.
Vermund SH, Febo I. The Historic Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV and Syphilis Transmission in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal 2021, 40: 3-5. PMID: 33876911, PMCID: PMC8363137.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh background prevalenceElimination of HIVWorld Health OrganizationChildren HIVInfection overallPerinatal transmissionAntenatal servicesBackground prevalenceHIV riskSyphilis transmissionSyphilis therapyHIVHealth OrganizationSyphilisMothersPuerto RicoInfantsTherapyPrevalenceCareEliminationWomen
2019
Syphilis associated with recreational drug use, depression and high-risk sexual behaviour in men who have sex with men: a case–control study in China
Wu H, Xiu C, Fu X, Li M, Wang Z, Li X, Wu J, Vermund SH, Hu Y. Syphilis associated with recreational drug use, depression and high-risk sexual behaviour in men who have sex with men: a case–control study in China. Sexually Transmitted Infections 2019, 95: 267-272. PMID: 30842346, PMCID: PMC11093516, DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053878.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRecreational drug useHigh-risk sexual behaviorCase-control studyDrug useSyphilis infectionToluidine red unheated serum testUnmatched case-control studyRed unheated serum testMultivariable logistic regressionPotential risk factorsMultiple drug useSexual behaviorPrior STIFrequent methamphetamine useSyphilis prevalenceSyphilis testingRisk factorsSerum testHealth workersDepression scoresSelf-administrated questionnaireRecreational drugsLogistic regressionSyphilisMethamphetamine use
2018
Surveillance of Maternal Syphilis in China: Pregnancy Outcomes and Determinants of Congenital Syphilis
Zhang X, Yu Y, Yang H, Xu H, Vermund SH, Liu K. Surveillance of Maternal Syphilis in China: Pregnancy Outcomes and Determinants of Congenital Syphilis. Medical Science Monitor 2018, 24: 7727-7735. PMID: 30370903, PMCID: PMC6216479, DOI: 10.12659/msm.910216.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdverse pregnancy outcomesPregnancy outcomesCongenital syphilisPregnant womenFirst antenatal care visitEligible pregnant womenPrevention of motherAntenatal care visitsIndependent risk factorMultivariable regression analysisLogistic regression analysisRegression analysisChild transmissionMaternal syphilisAntenatal careCare visitsNeonatal asphyxiaNeonatal deathFirst trimesterRisk womenAntibody titersAntenatal testingEpidemiological characteristicsRisk factorsSyphilis diagnosisRisk Prediction Score for HIV Infection: Development and Internal Validation with Cross-Sectional Data from Men Who Have Sex with Men in China
Yin L, Zhao Y, Peratikos MB, Song L, Zhang X, Xin R, Sun Z, Xu Y, Zhang L, Hu Y, Hao C, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Qian HZ. Risk Prediction Score for HIV Infection: Development and Internal Validation with Cross-Sectional Data from Men Who Have Sex with Men in China. AIDS And Behavior 2018, 22: 2267-2276. PMID: 29786768, PMCID: PMC7024582, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2129-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAlcohol DrinkingChinaCondomsCross-Sectional StudiesHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansLogistic ModelsMaleMiddle AgedMultivariate AnalysisPrevalenceRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsRisk-TakingSafe SexSexual and Gender MinoritiesSexual BehaviorSexual PartnersSurveys and QuestionnairesSyphilisUnsafe SexYoung AdultConceptsHIV infectionRisk scoreHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) riskMultivariable logistic regression modelingBootstrap-corrected C-indexMultiple male sexual partnersValid risk scoreVaccine clinical trialsHigh-risk MSMHigh-risk personsRisk prediction scoreReceptive anal intercourseReceptive anal sexInconsistent condom useMale sexual partnersHIV prevention programmingLogistic regression modelingDrug/alcohol addictionHIV acquisitionRisk reduction programsSyphilis infectionHIV prevalenceClinical trialsC-indexIllegal drug use
2017
HIV testing and sexual risks among migrant men who have sex with men: findings from a large cross-sectional study in Beijing, China
Liu Y, Vermund SH, Ruan Y, Liu H, Zhang C, Yin L, Shao Y, Qian HZ. HIV testing and sexual risks among migrant men who have sex with men: findings from a large cross-sectional study in Beijing, China. AIDS Care 2017, 30: 86-94. PMID: 28944685, PMCID: PMC6088860, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1381331.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLifetime male sexual partnersCondomless receptive anal sexHIV testingMigrant MSMHIV perceptionAnal sexHIV/syphilis infectionOlder ageLarge cross-sectional studyHIV/STI riskLikelihood of syphilisHIV/syphilisInsertive anal sexReceptive anal sexCross-sectional studyMale sexual partnersSyphilis infectionHIV transmissionLocal MSMSTI riskChinese MSMLower oddsEpidemiological studiesSexual partnersRisk profile
2016
Commercial sex and risk of HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus-2 among men who have sex with men in six Chinese cities
Zheng C, Xu JJ, Hu QH, Yu YQ, Chu ZX, Zhang J, Han XX, Lu L, Wang Z, Fu JH, Chen X, Yan HJ, Jiang YJ, Geng WQ, Vermund SH, Qian HZ, Shang H. Commercial sex and risk of HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus-2 among men who have sex with men in six Chinese cities. BMC Infectious Diseases 2016, 16: 765. PMID: 28003032, PMCID: PMC5178086, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-2130-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV/STIsHigh prevalenceHigh riskSex partnersHIV/STI surveillanceSimplex virus type 2HSV-2 infectionHIV/STISubgroups of MSMSimplex virus 2Male sex partnersCommercial sexRisk of HIVUnprotected anal intercourseVirus type 2Cross-sectional surveyHIV prevalenceSTI surveillanceHSV-2Overall prevalenceAnal intercourseHIVType 2Serological testsGreater riskAlcohol misuse, risky sexual behaviors, and HIV or syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men
Liu Y, Ruan Y, Strauss SM, Yin L, Liu H, Amico KR, Zhang C, Shao Y, Qian HZ, Vermund SH. Alcohol misuse, risky sexual behaviors, and HIV or syphilis infections among Chinese men who have sex with men. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2016, 168: 239-246. PMID: 27723554, PMCID: PMC5523945, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.09.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-ConsumptionSyphilis infectionBinge drinkersChinese menAlcohol misuseCondomless insertive anal intercourseHIV/syphilis infectionRecent alcohol misuseAlcohol risk reduction programCross-sectional studyInsertive anal intercourseAUDIT-C scoresCurrent alcohol dependenceInterviewer-administered surveyHigh-risk behaviorsRisk reduction programsRisky sexual behaviorMisuse MeasureHIV riskChinese MSMAnal intercourseHigh riskSyphilis riskBinge drinkingHazardous drinkersSexual Behaviors Linked to Drug and Alcohol Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China
Zhang C, Qian HZ, Yin L, Liu Y, Strauss SM, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Lu H, Vermund SH. Sexual Behaviors Linked to Drug and Alcohol Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China. Substance Use & Misuse 2016, 51: 1821-1830. PMID: 27608264, PMCID: PMC5423713, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1197264.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol useHigher oddsAlcohol consumptionSexual behaviorDrug useHigh-risk sexual behaviorFemale partnersHistory of alcoholSexual risk behaviorsHigh-risk behaviorsEffects of drugsSelf-administered questionnaireSyphilis infectionHIV infectionSyphilis prevalenceMean ageSyphilis testingClinical trialsHIV epidemicHIV interventionsBlood samplesHIVHan ethnicityRisk behaviorsMSMAssociations of current marital status and living arrangements with HIV and syphilis risk: findings from a community-based sample of men who have sex with men in China
Liu Y, Li D, Vermund SH, Zhang C, Ruan Y, Yin L, Liu H, Amico KR, Shao Y, Qian HZ. Associations of current marital status and living arrangements with HIV and syphilis risk: findings from a community-based sample of men who have sex with men in China. AIDS Care 2016, 28: 1461-1466. PMID: 27236988, PMCID: PMC5344671, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1189502.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMale sex partnersSingle MSMSyphilis riskMarital statusCurrent marital statusSex partnersMultivariable logistic regression modelingReceptive anal intercourseCondomless vaginal sexCross-sectional studyLogistic regression modelingCommunity-based sampleHIV-positiveChinese MSMAnal intercourseLower oddsChinese menMarried MSMVaginal sexRisk reduction strategiesSexual partnersInfection statusMSMHIVInfection prevalence
2015
Predictors of antiretroviral therapy initiation: a cross-sectional study among Chinese HIV-infected men who have sex with men
Liu Y, Ruan Y, Vermund SH, Osborn CY, Wu P, Jia Y, Shao Y, Qian HZ. Predictors of antiretroviral therapy initiation: a cross-sectional study among Chinese HIV-infected men who have sex with men. BMC Infectious Diseases 2015, 15: 570. PMID: 26714889, PMCID: PMC4696158, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1309-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCells/μLAntiretroviral therapy initiationART initiationHIV infectionCross-sectional studyTherapy initiationChinese MSMWorld Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage III/IVClinical stage III/IVStage III/IVNational HIV treatment guidelinesCD4 cell countHIV treatment guidelinesHIV viral suppressionLonger durationLogistic regression modelsChinese HIVEligible HIVCD4 countHIV careViral suppressionART eligibilityMedian durationTreatment guidelinesClinical symptomsPoppers use and risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China
Zhang H, Teng T, Lu H, Zhao Y, Liu H, Yin L, Sun Z, He X, Qian HZ, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Vermund SH. Poppers use and risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 160: 42-48. PMID: 26796594, PMCID: PMC5321169, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.11.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV infectionAnal intercourseMultivariable logistic regression analysisUnprotected receptive anal intercourseSexual behavioral factorsHigh HIV prevalenceReceptive anal intercourseMultiple male sex partnershipsLogistic regression analysisHIV intervention trialsQuarter of menUnprotected anal intercourseSexual behaviorTypes of drugsHIV testingRisky sexual behaviorHIV prevalenceIntervention trialsBlood samplesYounger ageMale partnersAlcohol useMSMSex partnershipsSafer sex
2014
Recreational drug use and risks of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among Chinese men who have sex with men: Mediation through multiple sexual partnerships
Xu JJ, Zhang C, Hu QH, Chu ZX, Zhang J, Li YZ, Lu L, Wang Z, Fu JH, Chen X, Yan HJ, Zhuang MH, Jiang YJ, Geng WQ, Vermund SH, Shang H, Qian HZ. Recreational drug use and risks of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among Chinese men who have sex with men: Mediation through multiple sexual partnerships. BMC Infectious Diseases 2014, 14: 642. PMID: 25443542, PMCID: PMC4272794, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-014-0642-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultiple sexual partnershipsUnprotected sexDrug useSexual partnersSexual partnershipsSimplex virus type 2Multiple logistic regression modelHSV-2 infectionHSV-2 prevalenceCross-sectional studyRisk of HIVMultiple sexual partnersVirus type 2Last sexual encounterRecreational drug useLogistic regression modelsHIV infectionActive MSMHSV-2HIV riskSexual disinhibitionChinese MSMHigh riskHIVChinese menIntegrated prevention of mother-to-child transmission for human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and hepatitis B virus in China
Wang AL, Qiao YP, Wang LH, Fang LW, Wang F, Jin X, Qiu J, Wang XY, Wang Q, Wu JL, Vermund SH, Song L. Integrated prevention of mother-to-child transmission for human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis and hepatitis B virus in China. Bulletin Of The World Health Organization 2014, 93: 52-56. PMID: 25558108, PMCID: PMC4271682, DOI: 10.2471/blt.14.139626.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman immunodeficiency virusHepatitis B virusAntenatal care clinicsChild transmissionPregnant womenPMTCT servicesCare clinicsImmunodeficiency virusB virusChild transmission effortsRate of maternalChild health clinicsChild health servicesRoutine maternalHBV infectionInfected womenCongenital syphilisHIV programsGeneral HospitalHealth clinicsLive birthsFurther interventionStandardized preventionSyphilis transmissionHealth servicesMethadone Maintenance Therapy and HIV Counseling and Testing are Associated with Lower frequency of Risky Behaviors Among Injection Drug Users in China
Wang M, Mao W, Zhang L, Jiang B, Xiao Y, Jia Y, Wu P, Cassell H, Vermund S. Methadone Maintenance Therapy and HIV Counseling and Testing are Associated with Lower frequency of Risky Behaviors Among Injection Drug Users in China. Substance Use & Misuse 2014, 50: 15-23. PMID: 25295376, DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2014.957768.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyInjection drug usersMaintenance therapyDrug usersConsecutive cross-sectional surveysHIV voluntary counselingUnprotected sexual behaviorCross-sectional surveyRisky behaviorsHIV counselingVoluntary counselingNeedle sharingUnprotected sexMMT servicesSignificant associationVCTLast monthSexual behaviorTherapyCounselingHIV and syphilis prevalence trends among men who have sex with men in Guangxi, China: yearly cross-sectional surveys, 2008–2012
Wang X, Lan G, Shen Z, Vermund SH, Zhu Q, Chen Y, Khoshnood K, Wu Z, Tang Z. HIV and syphilis prevalence trends among men who have sex with men in Guangxi, China: yearly cross-sectional surveys, 2008–2012. BMC Infectious Diseases 2014, 14: 367. PMID: 24993252, PMCID: PMC4091643, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-367.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYears of ageSyphilis prevalenceCross-sectional surveyCurrent syphilisHIV prevalencePrevalence trendsSexual intercourseIncident HIV casesAnnual cross-sectional surveyRisk factor dataSignificant predictorsRisk of HIVNational sentinel surveillanceYearly cross-sectional surveysHIV/AIDSSyphilis infectionHIV infectionHIV casesSentinel surveillanceRisk factorsBlood samplesHIVKey populationsMSMPrevalence
2013
Effectiveness of HIV Risk Reduction Interventions among Men who have Sex with Men in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Lu H, Liu Y, Dahiya K, Qian HZ, Fan W, Zhang L, Ma J, Ruan Y, Shao Y, Vermund SH, Yin L. Effectiveness of HIV Risk Reduction Interventions among Men who have Sex with Men in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e72747. PMID: 24137497, PMCID: PMC3796948, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072747.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRisk reduction interventionsHIV risk reduction interventionsPrevalence of HIVRandomized clinical trialsStandardized mean differenceReduction interventionsIntervention studiesSexual partnersChinese MSMSystematic reviewHIV/AIDS-related knowledgeCross-sectional intervention studyEffect sizeRegular sexual partnersPost-intervention studyMale sexual partnersConsistent condom useRandom-effects modelPost-intervention assessmentCasual sexual partnersSyphilis infectionHIV testingStudy armsHIV knowledgeClinical trials
2012
Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Coinfections: A Priority in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Persons to Reduce Viral Load and Consequent Disease Progression and Transmission : Comment on “Effect of Early Syphilis Infection on Plasma Viral Load and CD4 Cell Count in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Men”
Vermund SH. Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of Coinfections: A Priority in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Persons to Reduce Viral Load and Consequent Disease Progression and Transmission : Comment on “Effect of Early Syphilis Infection on Plasma Viral Load and CD4 Cell Count in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Men”. JAMA Internal Medicine 2012, 172: 1243-1244. PMID: 22824925, DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3770.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPredictors of HIV and Syphilis among Men Who Have Sex with Men in a Chinese Metropolitan City: Comparison of Risks among Students and Non-Students
Zhang L, Ding X, Lu R, Feng L, Li X, Xiao Y, Ruan Y, Vermund SH, Shao Y, Qian HZ. Predictors of HIV and Syphilis among Men Who Have Sex with Men in a Chinese Metropolitan City: Comparison of Risks among Students and Non-Students. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e37211. PMID: 22623994, PMCID: PMC3356386, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037211.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyphilis infectionRisky sexual behaviorHIV prevalenceStudent MSMMultivariable logistic regression analysisSexual behaviorPredictors of HIVLow HIV prevalencePrevalence of syphilisRisk of HIVLogistic regression analysisRisk sexual behaviourLow HIVHIV infectionSyphilis prevalenceComparison of risksSyphilis testingAdjusted prevalenceHigh prevalenceHIV riskBlood specimensHIVMSM participantsMultivariate analysisSexual partners
2011
Prevalence of syphilis among antenatal clinic attendees in Karachi: imperative to begin universal screening in Pakistan.
Shah SA, Kristensen S, Memon MA, Usman G, Ghazi A, John R, Sathiakumar N, Vermund SH. Prevalence of syphilis among antenatal clinic attendees in Karachi: imperative to begin universal screening in Pakistan. Journal Of The Pakistan Medical Association 2011, 61: 993-7. PMID: 22356034, PMCID: PMC3574871.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntenatal clinic attendeesClinic attendeesRisk factorsMulti-center cross-sectional studySyphilis seroprevalence ratesLow-risk populationPrevalence of syphilisCross-sectional studyHigh prevalence ratesCases of syphilisMale drug useUniversal syphilisAntenatal clinicPartner notificationSyphilis serologySeroprevalence ratesPrevalence ratesSyphilis controlUniversal screeningBlood samplesRisk populationsDrug usersDrug useMultivariate analysisSyphilisBisexual Behavior and Infection with HIV and Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Along the East Coast of China
Liao M, Kang D, Jiang B, Tao X, Qian Y, Wang T, Bi Z, Xiao Y, Li C, Wu P, Vermund SH, Jia Y. Bisexual Behavior and Infection with HIV and Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Along the East Coast of China. AIDS Patient Care And STDs 2011, 25: 683-691. PMID: 21923416, PMCID: PMC4186825, DOI: 10.1089/apc.2010.0371.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultBisexualityChildChinaCondomsCross-Sectional StudiesHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansInterviews as TopicLogistic ModelsMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk-TakingSexual PartnersSocioeconomic FactorsSubstance-Related DisordersSyphilisUnsafe SexYoung AdultConceptsBisexual behaviorDrug usersMale partnersHIV/syphilisMultiple sexual partnersLast anal sexCross-sectional surveyDrug use behaviorsHIV/Multivariable modelHigh prevalenceSyphilis statusBlood samplesPrevention servicesHIVAnal sexMSMWSociodemographic informationUnprotected sexSyphilisSexual partnersMSMSexMenPopulation transmission